Molly Wood did what many journalists seem to do when it comes to Android vs. iPhone – throw out a lot of opinions, mix in some misinformed statements to justify them, and then completely miss the mark about what makes Android excel and what holds it back. In her Molly Rants column, Wood says she is given Android one final chance to get its act together before she moves on to iPhone pastures. While Wood should switch to whatever operating system make her happiest, it doesn’t seem like she has her act together when it comes to Android.

Wood attacks Android for its very real fragmentation problem, but for all the wrong reasons. She claims that “Honeycomb is being killed off to make room for ICS,” and laments for the developers who spent time and money building tablets apps. Apparently she’s unaware that ICS actually helps those developers because their apps will now be available for tablets and handsets, exposing their work to a much larger audience. Google has already explained how developers can adjust their current Honeycomb apps to support phones and tablets with one app. Believe it or not, the fragments system of Honeycomb/ICS will help stem the very fragmentation that she complains about.

That’s not to say Android doesn’t have a problem with handsets not being updated. We’ve covered that many times, actually. But here’s a dirty little secret most people gloss over: iPhone users suffer through their own update hell. The big feature that everyone raves about in the iPhone 4S is Siri, a voice command and search feature similar to what Android has had for more than a year. Yet this revolutionary feature that people keep talking about is officially available only for iPhone 4S users. Wood says she’s “not buying a new phone every year just to keep up,” but that’s what Apple has forced Siri lovers to do. The same happened when iOS 4 kept some features away from iPhone 3G and 3GS users, or performed terribly on their hardware. iOS 5 abandons them just as readily. Tech journalists rightly fault Android for it’s fragmentation problem, yet remain silent on iOS not being a uniform platform either.

Wood then goes on to complain that Droid X users had to wait months for a Gingerbread update. That’s unfortunate, but guess how long iOS users wait for new features – a year, because that’s the only time Apple updates the software. Android users smirked during the iPhone 4/5 announcements because Apple touted features that Android had many months – in some cases 2 years – prior. And while I am the same person that says “being first doesn’t matter, being best does,” the notion that moving to an iPhone ensures all the great features for 2 years is silly.

Droid X users didn’t get the latest software as quickly as others because Android’s system allows for more frequent updates so users don’t wait forever to get new features. Microsoft has also criticized this structure and opted to hold back Windows Phone 7 to avoid it. See, Microsoft does a great job of avoiding fragmentation. And sales.

While I can appreciate the simplicity of holding back the majority for the benefit of the collective, I’d rather have the system that gives me a chance of new features now. It’s unfortunate for Motorola owners, but most of us with HTC are happy to not have to wait 12 months to get a major upgrade.

The one point of contention in which Woods and I are in agreement is that carriers do a terrible job of servicing Android. Software updates “cripple” phones, carriers don’t respond well to complaints, and quality testing is shoddy at best. Carriers also botch BlackBerry and Windows Phone 7 updates. The one unmatched feature that an iPhone user has is that when something goes wrong, that person can go to an Apple Store and have someone take a look at it. Carriers are rarely any help, so you shouldn’t expect them to fix it.

You also shouldn’t expect Google to assume control of Android, as Wood suggests. That’s not the way the system works and she knew that when she bought her Motorola Droid, Samsung Fascinate, and Motorola Droid X. Android enables the different spins on the software that people can embrace or shun. If Wood doesn’t like what one company does, she can move on to another. If she wants a platform where one voice dictates the experience, the sales clerks at Verizon are happy to hear “iPhone, please.”

Conclusion

I’m all for people making the switch when a smartphone doesn’t meet their needs. I don’t care about OS loyalty or sticking up for the brand that I prefer. These are products, not sacred institutions. If Apple introduced a new phone tomorrow that I felt was better than Android in every way and allowed me to do what I want with my phone, I’d bid you all farewell and use what makes me happiest.

On the other hand, my father has been an Android user for 2 years and he just made the switch to iPhone. I actually encouraged him to do it after many discussions. His HTC Hero was dead to rights, neither the HTC EVO 3D nor Samsung Galaxy S II appealed to him, and he doesn’t want to leave Sprint. He’s leaving Android behind after making an informed decision and for the right reasons. Molly Wood should do the same when her exit time arrives.

Here is Andy Rubin's take on fragmentation: "Some of the press has called this "fragmentation," and that's probably the wrong word for this. The better word for it is "legacy." These phones and devices … the iteration … is incredibly fast." http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1MWvh3VyP3w

I always find it entertaining with rant posts like Molly's that are so full of crap that I actually think they believe their own nonsense as fact. I always think rant posts like her's are just click bait BS since they clearly have very little idea of what they are actually talking about but because it's a rather popular topic, they must right about it.

There are only 2 options for me 1. Jailbroken iphone 2. A cyanogen/MIUI Android phone. Fragmentation occurred due to them releasing updates too fast, and most mobile companies don't have software engineers who can keep up. But after changing it to a once a year update, the effect won't be as devastating. I don't see anyone make a huge fuss when loads of apps don't work unless you have ios 4.

[...] experience. Yeah…except that the biggest new feature of “iOS 5″ is Siri, which is only available on the newest phone. And if you click that link, you’ll see this has been an Apple iOS pattern for years [...]

I applaud your comments. CNet has quickly become a shill for iPhone. I can't believe the number of articles that were touting the new iPhone as a great phone, barely discussing how some of the new features are already available on android (Amazon cloud, voice commands). I've started to listen less and less to their podcasts and I'm visiting their site even less.

I’d also like to add to the ios fragmentation. You mentioned Siri but before that, there have been games such as Machinarium that are iPad 2 only. I’d never complain about it because obviously the iPad 1 can’t handle it. The point is that Molly should realize some form of fragmentation will always exist whether it’s due to os or hardware. Owner of a Droid X, Dell Streak 7, iPod Touch, and an iPad 1 (without Machinarium )

Dear, Molly at CNET: You are wrong about Android | Android Reviewssays:

People actually read someone’s rant thats so lame. Too bad google doesn’t take more control with their updates. The manufacturers put their own ui on android phones. Then the carriers do their own thing to the phones that is what slows down android updates. Well also the rate of mobile technology.

Dear Molly at CNET: You are wrong about Android - Linux, Food, and Stuffssays:

Loved your respond to that article and to add this of all the procedures it would take to just activate a new phone for service or to updating a software for it’s newest version. Iphones/iOS are the most complicated task most people experience compare to other Android devices that are capable of FOTA. And this came from experience as a customer care rep from a huge Telecom company.

My previous phone (HTC Magic) was a carrier phone and it never got any update from the carrier. I had to root it and install Cyanogenmod so I finally got Android 2.2 Now I have, since 2 months, a Galaxy S2 no carrier model (payed full priece!!) and I am very pleased with it. Samsung already did an update for it and I love their skin they've put over it.

I noticed that there are many Andoid users who even don't have a clue what their phone can do. It is also unbelievable how many people let f* themselves in the *ss by Apple – they all say with one mouth "Apple decides what best for us". This is sect like and no one notices that.

What a great post Andrew. CNET and BGR love everyhting Apple. Like John said "… is sect like and no one notices it." . I'm tired of hearing that fragmentation nonsense. It has nothing to do with Android, but the Carriers. Molly Wood can go and get an iPhone 4 refreSh anytime she wants. Honeycomb is not bein killed, ICS promises to unite phones and tablets under one software, not the opposite…. that's freaking great for developers, one app for both phones and tablets. Ms Wood can go and get the newest iPhone and upgrade the hardware next year again because next years iOS6 won't play nice with the current generation iPhone. There you go Molly, wish you luck with your hardware fragmentation !

Cnet and Gizmodo have become two of the quickest sites I follow that are always quickest to point out "What's wrong with Android" and quickly praise the "revolutionary" iOS features. Both sites have been removed from my newsfeed as it's not worth pouring through the incoherent gibberish they try to pass as journalism. Thank you for your continued level headed articles.

i would rather agree with Molly… Android is good, open and customizable but its actually the different hardware specs, different flavors of OS and Custom shells, delayed updates[SE, Motorola] makes a regular customer too much confused in picking one… Android development is good but developing a good app which runs smoothly on all array of hardware specs is pain in the ass.. trust me bug fixing each hardware/phone spec even for a simple camera control app is tough[Mounts n mounts of email]. developing an iOS/WP7 app is quicker and we can provide better support. Think about Droid X/Desire GB update and its still buggy… Yet to see how ICS pans out.. Android really needs a better polishing from groundup.. [ICS hope u r sweet] -Still an Android developer

CNet in general offers very little in terms of technical knowledge. Molly Wood is a walking exaggeration machine and the women of Dialed In podcast never actually know any specs of any device they are reviewing. You often hear them bouncing bad information between each other and coming to an an incorrect conclusion. It's actually quite embarrassing. Since Tom Merrit left, CNet has lost the voice of reason.